Spectrum of Red. [LISRENE]

18

Irene had been sitting quietly at the kitchen counter, stirring her cup of coffee. Her mind was elsewhere, filled with thoughts of Lisa.

Irene was determined to forget her, but that resolve crumbled every time she thought about Lisa's gentle smile.

In the living room, Jisoo was lounging on the sofa, phone pressed to her ear as she talked to Jennie.

Irene could hear bits and pieces of the conversation, her ears perking up when Jisoo's tone became animated.

"Jennie, listen, if your boyfriend keeps pestering you, just tell me. I'll give him a full session of punches and kicks!"

Jisoo exclaimed, half-joking, but with that edge of protective sisterly concern.

Irene, curious but hesitant, glanced toward Jisoo, wondering who they were talking about.

Jennie's boyfriend?

She is suddenly more interested than she wants to admit.

Jisoo continued,

"Honestly, you shouldn't give him another chance. You deserve better. I've been telling you for months-"

As the call ended.

Irene couldn't hold back anymore. Her curiosity gnawed at her, and before she knew it, she had set her cup down and made her way to the living room.

"Jisoo, Can I ask you something?"

Jisoo looked up from her laptop.

"Yeah, sure,"

Irene shifted awkwardly, feeling her heart race. She had to know. It had been bugging her for days.

"Uh... you were talking about Jennie's boyfriend, right? Isn't... she dating Lisa?"

For a moment, the room seemed to go still, and Irene regretted the question. But Jisoo's reaction wasn't what she expected.

Jisoo burst into laughter, almost dropping her phone.

"Oh my God, no! Jennie dating Lisa, They'd both gag at the thought!"

Jisoo said, still laughing as she tried to catch her breath.

"They're like sisters; why do you ask, though?"

Jisoo asked.

Irene felt her face flush, and she quickly shook her head, trying to sound casual.

"No, no! I was just... curious. You know, trying to get to know my new friends better."

She smiled, hoping it seemed convincing.

Jisoo believed it.

"Mm-hmm, sure. As long as I know Lisa doesn't have anyone special right now, at least not that I know of."

As Jisoo nodded and returned to her laptop, Irene let out a silent breath of relief.

So, Lisa isn't dating Jennie.

That was a good thing... a very good thing. But then, a nagging thought crept into her mind:

If Lisa isn't dating anyone, why has she been ignoring me?

She leaned back against the arm of the sofa, lost in thought.

It didn't make sense.

Irene had felt the connection-hadn't Lisa felt it too?

Right?

No?

Anyone?

Maybe it was time to stop avoiding her, Irene thought.